A joint investigation involving the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Central Florida HIDTA Task Force (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas), and the Drug Enforcement Administration has resulted in multiple federal indictments by the United States Attorney’s Office (Middle District of Florida) and the arrests today of 15 individuals with Polk County ties. (See below information for names and charges.) The detectives were working as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force targeting a major criminal methamphetamine drug trafficking and distribution organization.

“This is a great day for Polk County. Working with our federal law enforcement partners, we have taken down a major methamphetamine trafficking organization. Methamphetamine destroys lives, drives up crime, and hurts families, neighborhoods, and our local economy. Because of these federal indictments, these vile drug pushers will be held accountable for their role in distributing this terrible drug. We thank United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill and DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville, Miami Field Division, for their key role in making our community safer and working to improve our quality of life. As always, the credit for the success of this investigation goes to the men and women working on the front lines—our Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives, HIDTA Task Force detectives, and Drug Enforcement Administration agents. They make it happen and I am so grateful for their hard work and dedication to improving our communities.” –Sheriff Grady Judd

The United States Attorney’s Office, Middle District of Florida (Robert E. O’Neill) issued a news release about the indictments earlier today. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray.

As of today’s date, task force detectives have seized approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine, 11 guns and over $131,000 in cash. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have also arrested, over the course of the investigation, several other individuals on state charges (these individuals have not been federally charged):

Those taken into custody today as a result of the federal indictment and charges are listed below. Some have been in the Polk County Jail since being arrested on state charges related to the investigation, others were arrested today in various parts of Polk County. They will be transported to Hillsborough County today, with the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Service.

Name, Age, Residence, Charge

Pablo Barrios, 36, Frostproof, Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine

Felipe Barrios, 38, Frostproof, Conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine

Robert Ramirez-Maccleash, 32, Atlanta, GA, Count One: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, Count Two: Attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine

Fernando Mondragon, 27, Frostproof, Count One: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, Count Two: Attempted possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine

Abraham Espinoza-Perez, 26, Frostproof, Count One: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, Count Two & Count Three: Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Count Four: Distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine

Cristina Barraza-Chavez, 31, Eloise, Count One: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, Count Four: Distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine

Luis Falcon-Cruz, 31, Haines City, Count One: Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, Count Two: Distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, Count Four: Distribution of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine